Apparatus, system and method for context and language specific data entry

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/521,973 filed Sep. 14, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,254, entitled“APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXT AND LANGUAGE SPECIFIC DATAENTRY.”

BACKGROUND

Television (TV) display user interfaces have design lay outs to receiveinformation from a standard TV remote control. However, navigationand/or manipulation of a today's user interfaces are slow and confusingvia a standard TV remote control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a navigation controller.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a system.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a logic flow.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the invention may be generally directed to a userinterface that allows for context and language specific data entry. Adata entry method is provided that is context and language specific toan activated data entry box. Here, the applicable language and necessaryselections or virtual keys required for the activated data entry box aredetermined. In an embodiment of the invention, the data entry methodonly displays the necessary virtual keys in the applicable language thatthe user needs to enter the data required by the activated data entrybox. This allows for the data entry method to facilitate the entry ofdata in any language. Additionally, the number and context of thevirtual keys of the data entry method adjust for the type of datacurrently being asked of the user. In an embodiment of the invention,the data entry method and the data entry boxes are fed via dynamic feed(e.g., metadata, external XML strings, and so forth). This flexibleapproach to data entry provides a simplified user experienced as well asthe freedom to easily and dynamically localize and update the on-screendata entry method when needed.

In some embodiments of the invention, an auto-scrolling feature isprovided. With the auto-scrolling feature, the user's focus stateremains the same on the user interface while data entry boxes of a dataentry menu auto-scroll in such a way that the activated data entry boxis always displayed at the same location. Here, a scroll repositionlocation is defined for the user interface. Each time the user activatesa selection or data entry box for a menu, the present invention scrollsthe data entry boxes such that the activated box is always displayed atthe same location on the user interface. This helps to keep the user'sfocus state the same on user interface 100 and allows the data entryboxes to remain easily readable, while not unnecessarily sacrificingdisplay real estate. The auto-scrolling feature further simplifies thedata entry process by removing from view any data entry box that datahas already been entered. Other embodiments may be described andclaimed.

Various embodiments may comprise one or more elements. An element maycomprise any structure arranged to perform certain operations. Eachelement may be implemented as hardware, software, or any combinationthereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or performanceconstraints. Although an embodiment may be described with a limitednumber of elements in a certain topology by way of example, theembodiment may include more or less elements in alternate topologies asdesired for a given implementation. It is worthy to note that anyreference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a user interface 100. Userinterface 100 may comprise a header banner section 102, a navigationsection 104, a data entry section 106 and a descriptor section 108. Userinterface 100 may be displayed on a display device, for example. Each ofthese sections is described next in more detail.

Header banner section 102 may be used to display a high-level title foruser interface 100. Navigation section 104 may comprise a navigationmenu 110. Navigation menu 110 may provide navigation for TV content;service browsing; user registration, set-up, billing and/orpersonalization for consumer products/services; and so forth. Navigationmenu 110 may comprise virtual keys or buttons that are used to navigateuser interface 100. The virtual keys of menu 110 may comprise one ormore indicia thereon. The virtual keys may comprise any type of indiciato represent any type of information. The indicia may comprise, forexample, graphics, icons, letters, characters, symbols, and/orfunctions. The indicia also may be user defined, for example. In oneembodiment, the indicia may comprise characters and/or symbols similarto the characters and/or symbols found in conventional keyboards. Theindicia may also comprise information pulled or dynamically updated fromother software applications or connected services such as, but notlimited to, buddy lists, email contacts, cell phone books, devicelocations, and so forth. This allows indicia to be pulled from a variedset of information provided by existing applications and/or serviceswhich would allow the text entry to be familiar, graphicallyrecognizable and efficient. The various embodiments described herein,however, are not limited in the context of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 as the indicia on the virtual keys may represent any predefinedcharacter, symbol, modifier, control, alternative, function, or shiftkeys.

The virtual keys of navigation section 104 may be activated by a uservia a navigation controller. In one embodiment, the navigationcontroller may be a pointing device or remote control, as will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring again to FIG. 1, navigation menu 110 may comprise a menu title112 and one or more menu selections 114(1)-(n), where n is any positiveinteger. Menu selections 114(1)-(n) may be expandable. In the exampleuser interface of FIG. 1, a user registration menu is shown. Here, menutitle 112 is “Registration” and menu selections 114(1)-(n) orregistration selections include “Essential Info”, “Package Info” and“Done”. One or more of menu selections 114(1)-(n) may be activated topresent a data entry menu displayed in data entry section 106. In anembodiment of the invention, the menu selections are fed to userinterface 100 via dynamic feed (e.g., metadata, external XML strings,and so forth). The example registration menu illustrated in FIG. 1 isnot meant to limit the invention. In fact, menu 110 may be any menuutilized to enter data via menu 110 itself or via data entry section106.

Data entry section 106 displays the data entry menu for the activatedselection from menu 110. Descriptor section 108 informs the user of theaction currently required in data entry section 106. Sections 106 and108 are described next in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, user registration menu selection “Essential Info”was activated. Based on the particular menu selection that is activated,it is determined whether a data entry menu has been defined for theactivated selection. If so, the data entry menu, such as menu 202, isdisplayed in data entry section 106. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, menu 202 has at least seven (7) data entry boxes, including“Name”, “Phone #”, “Email”, “Address”, “UserID”, “Password”, and“Security Picture” data entry boxes. In an embodiment of the invention,the down arrow 204 is an indication to the user that additional dataentry boxes exist. The data entry boxes of menu 202 may be activated bya user via a navigation controller. In one embodiment, the navigationcontroller may be a pointing device or remote control, as will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 6. The example data entry menu202 is not meant to limit the invention and is provided for illustrationpurposes only. In fact, menu 202 may comprise may comprise data entryboxes, virtual keys or buttons and so forth.

Referring again to FIG. 2, one or more of data entry boxes of menu 202,when activated, may cause a data entry method specific to the activateddata entry box to be displayed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3,data entry box “Name” was activated. It is determined whether a dataentry method has been defined for the activated data entry box. If so,the activation of the “Name” data entry box causes data entry method 302to be displayed directly under the “Name” data entry box.

Data entry method 302 is context and language specific to the activateddata entry box. Here, the applicable language and necessary selectionsor virtual keys required for the activated data entry box aredetermined. In an embodiment of the invention, data entry method 302only displays the necessary virtual keys in the applicable language thatthe user needs to enter the data required by the activated data entrybox. This allows for data entry method 302 to facilitate the entry ofdata in any language. Additionally, the number and context of thevirtual keys of data entry method 302 adjust for the type of datacurrently being asked of the user. In an embodiment of the invention,data entry method 302 and the data entry boxes are fed via dynamic feed(e.g., metadata, external XML strings, and so forth). This flexibleapproach to data entry provides a simplified user experienced as well asthe freedom to easily and dynamically localize and update the on-screendata entry method when needed.

The virtual keys of the data entry method may comprise one or moreindicia thereon. The virtual keys may comprise any type of indicia torepresent any type of information. The indicia may comprise, forexample, graphics, icons, letters, characters, symbols, and/orfunctions. The indicia also may be user defined, for example. In oneembodiment, the indicia may comprise characters and/or symbols similarto the characters and/or symbols found in conventional keyboards. Theindicia may also comprise information pulled or dynamically updated fromother software applications or connected services such as, but notlimited to, buddy lists, email contacts, cell phone books, devicelocations, and so forth. This allows indicia to be pulled from a variedset of information provided by existing applications and/or serviceswhich would allow the text entry to be familiar, graphicallyrecognizable and efficient. The various embodiments described herein,however, are not limited in the context of the embodiment illustratedherein, as the indicia on the virtual keys may represent any predefinedcharacter, symbol, modifier, control, alternative, function, or shiftkeys. The virtual keys of data entry method 302 may be activated by auser via a navigation controller. In one embodiment, the navigationcontroller may be a pointing device or remote control, as will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 6.

Examples of various data entry methods are shown in FIGS. 3-5. Forexample, in FIG. 3, the “Name” data entry box is asking for the user toenter his or her name in English (as indicated by the data entry box andthe text displayed in descriptor section 108). Accordingly, data entrymethod 302 of FIG. 3 includes virtual keys for each letter of theEnglish alphabet. In an embodiment of the invention, a “Go” key is alsoincluded in data entry method 302 that allows the user to indicate whenhe or she is finished entering the data. FIG. 4 illustrates example dataentry method 402 that is context and language specific to the “Phone #”data entry box. Accordingly, data entry method 402 includes virtual keysfor each number 0-9. FIG. 5 illustrates example data entry method 502that is context and language specific to the “Security Picture” dataentry box requesting the user to select a security picture. Here, dataentry method 502 includes virtual keys for various security picturesthat may be selected by the user.

In an embodiment of the invention, menu and data entry method selectionsmay be expandable. Additionally, each of the menu and data entry methodselections may represent any variable information. This selectioninformation may be dynamic, adjustable and considered to be independentfrom any of the other menu and/or data entry method selections. Forexample, one or more data entry boxes in a data entry menu or virtualkeys in a data entry method may be added, deleted or changed withoutaffecting any other menu or data entry method.

In some embodiments of the invention, an auto-scrolling feature isprovided. This auto-scrolling feature is also illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.With the auto-scrolling feature, the user's focus state remains the sameon user interface 100 while the data entry boxes of the data entry menuauto-scroll in such a way that the activated data entry box is alwaysdisplayed at the same location. Here, a scroll reposition location isdefined for the user interface 100. Each time the user activates aselection or data entry box for the menu, the present invention scrollsthe data entry boxes such that the activated box is always displayed atthe same location on user interface 100. This auto-scrolling featuresimplifies the data entry process by removing from view any data entrybox that data has already been entered.

Referring to FIG. 3, the “Name” data entry box is activated anddisplayed. Once the user is finished entering the “Name” data andactivates the “Phone #” data entry box (as illustrated in FIG. 4), thedata entry boxes are scrolled up such that the “Name” data entry box isno longer displayed and the “Phone #” data entry box is now repositionedwhere the previously activated data entry box was displayed (i.e., atthe scroll reposition location). A new data entry box “Credit Card Type”that was previously not display, is now displayed at the bottom ofsub-menu 202. In FIG. 5, the user activated the “Security Picture” dataentry box. Here, the “Security Picture” data entry box is repositionedat the scroll reposition location. The data entry boxes above “SecurityPicture” data entry box are no longer displayed, but allows for thedisplay of additional boxes below “Security Picture” data entry box.This helps to keep the user's focus state the same on user interface 100and allows the data entry boxes to remain easily readable, while notunnecessarily sacrificing display real estate.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the dataentry method is positioned or “pops-up” directly below the activateddata entry box. In other embodiments of the invention, the display ofthe data entry method on user interface 100 may be configured to alwaysbe displayed on the bottom or the top of menu 202.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a navigation controller 600. In oneembodiment, navigation controller 600 may be a pointing device 610 thatmay be used to activate one or more keys of navigation section 104 anddata entry section 106 (FIG. 1). Pointing device 610 may be any computerhardware component (specifically human interface device) that allows auser to input spatial (i.e., continuous and multi-dimensional) data intoa computer. Many systems such as computer aided design (CAD), graphicaluser interfaces (GUI), and televisions and monitors allow the user tocontrol and provide data to the computer or television using physicalgestures—point, click, and drag—typically by moving wired or wirelesspointing device such as a mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick,light pen, joystick, head pointer, eye tracking device, digitizingtablet, data glove, remote controller, among others. Movements ofpointing device 610 are echoed on a display device by movements of apointer, cursor, focus ring, or other visual indicators displayed on thedisplay device.

In the illustrated embodiment, pointing device 610 is a conventionalremote control unit used to interact with audio/visual devices such astelevisions, monitors, cable boxes, digital video disc (DVD) player,compact disc (CD) players, digital video recorders (DVR), video games,digital video camera, and/or digital still camera, among others, forexample. Pointing device 610 comprises navigation buttons 612. In oneembodiment, navigation buttons 612 comprise an upward navigation button612-1, a downward navigation button 612-2, a leftward navigation button612-3, and a rightward navigation button 612-4. Navigation buttons 612also may comprise a select button 612-5 to execute a particularfunction. Pointing device 610 may be a wireless remote that operates onwireless principles employing infra-red (IR) energy or radio frequency(RF) energy. In other embodiments, pointing device 610 may be hard wiredto the display device, for example. The embodiments, however, are notlimited to the elements or in the context shown or described in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a system 700. In one embodiment,system 700 may be a digital home entertainment system although system700 is not limited in this context. In one embodiment, system 700comprises a platform 710 coupled to a display device 720. In oneembodiment, platform 710 may comprise or may be implemented as a mediaplatform such as the Viiv™ media platform made by Intel® Corporation. Inone embodiment, platform 710 may receive content from a content devicesuch as a content services device 730 or a content delivery device 740or other similar content source. In an embodiment of the invention,content services device 730 may be hosted by any national, internationaland/or independent service and thus accessible to platform 710 via theInternet. A content services device 730 may be coupled to platform 710and/or to display device 720. Platform 710 and/or content servicesdevice 730 may be coupled to a network 760 to communicate (e.g., sendand/or receive) media information to and from network 760. A contentdelivery device 740 also may be coupled to platform 710 and/or todisplay device 720. In various embodiments, platform 710 and contentservices device 730 may be integrated, or platform 710 and contentdelivery device 740 may integrated, or platform 710, content servicesdevice 730, and content delivery device 740 may be integrated, forexample. In various embodiments, platform 710 and display device 720 maybe an integrated unit and display device, or content service device 730may be integrated, or display device 720 and content delivery device 740may integrated. A navigation controller 750 comprising one or morenavigation buttons 752 may be used to interact with either platform 710or display device 720, and/or both, for example.

In one embodiment, platform 710 may comprise a CPU 712, a chip set 713,one or more drivers 714, one or more network connections 715, anoperating system 716, and/or a media center application 717 comprisingone or more software applications, for example. Platform 710 also maycomprise storage 718. Storage 718 may include control and content dataused to define one or more navigation menus (e.g., navigation menu 110of FIG. 1), one or more data entry menus (such as menu 202 of FIG. 2),one or more data entry methods (such as data entry methods 302, 402 and502 of FIGS. 3-5), one or more text entry boxes, messages, virtual keysand so forth. In an embodiment of the invention, menus, data entrymethods, selections, data entry boxes, virtual keys, etc., are fed touser interface 100 via dynamic feed (e.g., metadata and/or external XMLstrings stored in storage 718). Storage 718 may also include the controland content data displayed in descriptor section 108, as described abovein FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, CPU 712 may comprise one or more processors such asdual-core processors. Examples of dual-core processors include thePentium® D processor and the Pentium® processor Extreme Edition bothmade by Intel® Corporation, which may be referred to as the Intel CoreDuo processors, for example.

In one embodiment, chip set 713 may comprise any one of or all of theIntel® 945 Express Chipset family, the Intel® 955X Express Chipset,Intel® 975X Express Chipset family, plus ICH7-DH or ICH7-MDH controllerhubs, which all are made by Intel® Corporation.

In one embodiment, drivers 714 may comprise the Quick Resume TechnologyDrivers made by Intel® to enable users to instantly turn on and offplatform 710 like a television with the touch of a button after initialboot-up, when enabled, for example. In addition, chip set 713 maycomprise hardware and/or software support for 5.1 surround sound audioand/or high definition 7.1 surround sound audio, for example. Drivers714 may include a graphics driver for integrated graphics platforms. Inone embodiment, the graphics driver may comprise a peripheral componentinterconnect (PCI) Express graphics card.

In one embodiment, network connections 715 may comprise the PRO/1000 PMor PRO/100 VE/VM network connection, both made by Intel® Corporation.

In one embodiment, operating system 716 may comprise the Windows® XPMedia Center made by Microsoft® Corporation. In one embodiment, one ormore media center applications 717 may comprise a media shell to enableusers to interact with content using navigation controller 750 (e.g.,remote control) from a distance of about 10-feet away from platform 710or display device 720, for example. In one embodiment, the media shellmay be referred to as a “10-feet user interface,” for example. Inaddition, one or more media center applications 717 may comprise theQuick Resume Technology made by Intel®, which allows instant on/offfunctionality and may allow platform 710 to stream content to mediaadaptors or other content services devices 730 or content deliverydevices 740 when the platform is turned “off.”

In one embodiment, storage 718 may comprise the Matrix Storagetechnology made by Intel® to increase the storage performance enhancedprotection for valuable digital media when multiple hard drives areincluded, for example.

In one embodiment, display device 720 may comprise any television typemonitor or display. Display device 720 may comprise, for example, acomputer display screen, video monitor, television-like device, and/or atelevision. Display device 720 may be digital and/or analog.

In various embodiments, content services device 730 may comprise a cabletelevision box, personal computer, network, telephone, Internet enableddevices or appliance capable of delivering digital information and/orcontent, and any other similar device capable of unidirectionally orbidirectionally communicating content between content providers andplatform 710 and/display device 720, via network 760. It will beappreciated that the content may be communicated unidirectionally and/orbidirectionally to and from any one of the components in system 700 anda content provider via network 760. Examples of content may include anymedia information including, for example, video, music, and gaminginformation. Content services device 730 receives content such as cabletelevision programming including media information, digital information,and/or other content. Examples of content providers may include anycable or satellite television or radio content providers and mayinclude, for example, ESPN, Movielink, and MTV Overdrive for video;Napster, AOL and Tiscali for music; Gametap, Square Enix and T-Onlinefor gaming; and YouTube and Flickr for sharing services.

In various embodiments, content delivery device 740 may comprise a DVDplayer, CD player, DVR, video game, digital video camera, digital stillcamera, and/or MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 where MPEG stands for MovingPictures Experts Group) player, among others, for example.

Platform 710 may receive content from network 760 directly or viacontent services device 730. Platform 710 may receive content fromcontent delivery device 740. Under the control of one or more softwareapplications, such as media center application 717, platform 710displays user interface 722 (e.g., user interface 100) on display device720.

In one embodiment, platform 710 may receive control signals fromnavigation controller 750 (e.g., navigation controller 600 of FIG. 6).Navigation buttons 752 (e.g., navigation buttons 612 of FIG. 6) may beused to interact with user interface 722. For example, under the controlof software applications, e.g., media center applications 717,navigation buttons 752 located on navigation controller 750 may bemapped to the virtual navigation keys of navigation section 104 and dataentry section 106 (FIG. 1), data entry menu 202 (FIG. 2) and data entrymethods (FIGS. 3-5).

In various embodiments, system 700 may be implemented as a wirelesssystem, a wired system, or a combination of both. When implemented as awireless system, system 700 may include components and interfacessuitable for communicating over a wireless shared media, such as one ormore antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, amplifiers,filters, control logic, and so forth. An example of wireless sharedmedia may include portions of a wireless spectrum, such as the RFspectrum and so forth. When implemented as a wired system, system 700may include components and interfaces suitable for communicating overwired communications media, such as input/output (I/O) adapters,physical connectors to connect the I/O adapter with a correspondingwired communications medium, a network interface card (NIC), disccontroller, video controller, audio controller, and so forth. Examplesof wired communications media may include a wire, cable, metal leads,printed circuit board (PCB), backplane, switch fabric, semiconductormaterial, twisted-pair wire, co-axial cable, fiber optics, and so forth.

Platform 710 may establish one or more logical or physical channels tocommunicate information. The information may include media informationand control information. Media information may refer to any datarepresenting content meant for a user. Examples of content may include,for example, data from a voice conversation, videoconference, streamingvideo, electronic mail (“email”) message, voice mail message,alphanumeric symbols, graphics, image, video, text and so forth. Datafrom a voice conversation may be, for example, speech information,silence periods, background noise, comfort noise, tones and so forth.Control information may refer to any data representing commands,instructions or control words meant for an automated system. Forexample, control information may be used to route media informationthrough a system, or instruct a node to process the media information ina predetermined manner. The embodiments, however, are not limited to theelements or in the context shown or described in FIG. 7.

Operations for the above embodiments may be further described withreference to the following figure and accompanying examples. Althoughsuch figure presented herein may include a particular logic flow, it canbe appreciated that the logic flow merely provides an example of how thegeneral functionality as described herein can be implemented. Further,the given logic flow does not necessarily have to be executed in theorder presented unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the given logicflow may be implemented by a hardware element, a software elementexecuted by a processor, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a logic flow 800. The logic flow800 may be representative of the operations executed by one or moreembodiments described herein, for example, the operations executed bysystem 700. In one embodiment, logic flow 800 may be representative ofthe operations executed by a processor (e.g., the CPU 712) under thecontrol of one more software applications (e.g., media centerapplications 717). Platform 710 comprising processor 712 provides thenecessary information to display device 720 to map user interface 722 ondisplay device 720. The embodiments of the invention, however, are notlimited to the elements or in the context shown or described in FIG. 8.

As shown in logic flow 800, a user activates a selection in a menu (suchas navigation menu 110 of FIG. 1), at block 802. In an embodiment of theinvention, the navigation menu represents a registration menu andincludes one or more menu selections. The user may activate or selectthe menu selections via a pointing device or remote control (such aspointing device 610 of FIG. 6).

At block 804, the data entry menu to display for the activated selectionis determined. According to one embodiment of the invention, the menuincludes multiple data entry boxes to be displayed in data entry section106 (FIG. 1).

At block 806, a scroll reposition location is determined. The data entrymenu is then displayed in section 106 such that the first data entry boxis automatically displayed at the scroll reposition location (withoutthe first data entry box being activated by the user). As discussedabove, the scroll reposition location is used to facilitate theauto-scrolling feature. Here, the user's focus state remains the same onuser interface 100 while the data entry boxes of the menu auto-scroll insuch a way that the activated data entry box is always displayed at thesame location.

At block 808, the user activates a data entry box in the data entrymenu. The user may activate or select the menu selections via a pointingdevice or remote control (such as pointing device 610 of FIG. 6).

At block 810, it is determined whether the activated data entry box isdisplayed at the scroll reposition. If not, then at block 812, the dataentry boxes of the data entry menu is repositioned or auto-scrolled suchthat the activated data entry box is displayed at the scroll repositionlocation.

At block 814, the data entry method for the activated data entry box isdetermined and displayed directly below the activated data entry box. Inother embodiments of the invention, the data entry box is placed at anyother predetermined location on the user interface. The data entrymethod is context and language specific to the activated data entry box.Here, the applicable language and necessary selections or virtual keysrequired for the activated data entry box are determined. In anembodiment of the invention, the data entry method only displays thenecessary virtual keys in the applicable language that the user needs toenter the data required by the activated data entry box. This allows forthe data entry method to facilitate the entry of data in any language.Additionally, the number and context of the virtual keys of the dataentry method adjust for the type of data currently being asked of theuser.

At block 815, when the user is finished entering data for the activateddata entry box, the data entry method is closed. The closing of the dataentry method allows the user to view all displayed data entry boxes. Thelogic flow in FIG. 8 allows for the user to activate another data entrybox in the menu at block 808.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a device 900. In one embodiment,for example, device 900 may comprise a communication system. In variousembodiments, device 900 may comprise a processing system, computingsystem, mobile computing system, mobile computing device, mobilewireless device, computer, computer platform, computer system, computersub-system, server, workstation, terminal, personal computer (PC),laptop computer, ultra-laptop computer, portable computer, handheldcomputer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone,combination cellular telephone/PDA, smart phone, pager, one-way pager,two-way pager, messaging device, and so forth. The embodiments are notlimited in this context.

In one embodiment, device 900 may be implemented as part of a wiredcommunication system, a wireless communication system, or a combinationof both. In one embodiment, for example, device 900 may be implementedas a mobile computing device having wireless capabilities. A mobilecomputing device may refer to any device having a processing system anda mobile power source or supply, such as one or more batteries, forexample. Examples of a mobile computing device may include a laptopcomputer, ultra-laptop computer, portable computer, handheld computer,palmtop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone,combination cellular telephone/PDA, smart phone, pager, one-way pager,two-way pager, messaging device, data communication device, and soforth. Examples of a mobile computing device also may include computersthat are arranged to be worn by a person, such as a wrist computer,finger computer, ring computer, eyeglass computer, belt-clip computer,arm-band computer, shoe computers, clothing computers, and otherwearable computers. In one embodiment, for example, a mobile computingdevice may be implemented as a smart phone capable of executing computerapplications, as well as voice communications and/or datacommunications. Although some embodiments may be described with a mobilecomputing device implemented as a smart phone by way of example, it maybe appreciated that other embodiments may be implemented using otherwireless mobile computing devices as well. The embodiments are notlimited in this context.

As shown in FIG. 9, device 900 may comprise a housing 902, a display904, an input/output (I/O) device 906, and an antenna 908. Device 900also may comprise a five-way navigation button 912. I/O device 906 maycomprise a suitable keyboard, a microphone, and/or a speaker, forexample. Display 904 may comprise any suitable display unit fordisplaying information appropriate for a mobile computing device. I/Odevice 906 may comprise any suitable I/O device for entering informationinto a mobile computing device. Examples for I/O device 906 may includean alphanumeric keyboard, a numeric keypad, a touch pad, input keys,buttons, switches, rocker switches, voice recognition device andsoftware, and so forth. Information also may be entered into device 900by way of microphone. Such information may be digitized by a voicerecognition device. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Device 900 may comprise a user interface 910 that may be displayed ondisplay 904 similar to user interface 100 discussed herein.

Various embodiments may be implemented using hardware elements, softwareelements, or a combination of both. Examples of hardware elements mayinclude processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (e.g.,transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integratedcircuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmablelogic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmablegate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips,microchips, chip sets, and so forth. Examples of software may includesoftware components, programs, applications, computer programs,application programs, system programs, machine programs, operatingsystem software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines,subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces,application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code,computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values,symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an embodimentis implemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may varyin accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computationalrate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input datarates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and otherdesign or performance constraints.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. These terms are not intendedas synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments may bedescribed using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” to indicate thattwo or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact witheach other. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or moreelements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet stillco-operate or interact with each other.

Some embodiments may be implemented, for example, using amachine-readable medium or article which may store an instruction or aset of instructions that, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance with theembodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, any suitableprocessing platform, computing platform, computing device, processingdevice, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or thelike, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardwareand/or software. The machine-readable medium or article may include, forexample, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memoryarticle, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage mediumand/or storage unit, for example, memory, removable or non-removablemedia, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable media,digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read OnlyMemory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact DiskRewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-opticalmedia, removable memory cards or disks, various types of DigitalVersatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette, or the like. The instructionsmay include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiledcode, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code,encrypted code, and the like, implemented using any suitable high-level,low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpretedprogramming language.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that termssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or thelike, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computingsystem, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and/ortransforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic)within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities within the computingsystem's memories, registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices. The embodiments are not limited in thiscontext.

Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownoperations, components and circuits have not been described in detail soas not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that thespecific structural and functional details disclosed herein may berepresentative and do not necessarily limit the scope of theembodiments.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1. A method of displaying a user interface on a display device,comprising: displaying the user interface on the display device, whereinthe user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menuselections; activating one of the one or more menu selections; anddisplaying a data entry method, wherein the data entry method displayedis different depending on a specific context of the activated menuselection, wherein the activated menu selection requires the user toenter data into a plurality of simultaneously displayed data entryboxes, of which at least one data entry box requires alphabetic inputand at least one data entry box requires numerical data, wherein only avirtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabetic input is displayed in thedata entry method on the display device when alphabetic user input isrequired by the activated user selection in the data entry box requiringalphabetic input, and only a virtual keypad enabled to receive numericinput is displayed in the data entry method on the display device whennumeric user input is required by the activated user selection in thedata entry box requiring numeric input.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the data entry method includes a method of entering one of name,phone number and email.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data entrymethod is displayed on the bottom of the user interface.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the virtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabeticinput may be changed without changing the virtual keypad enabled toreceive numeric input.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtualkeypad enabled to receive numeric input may be changed without changingthe virtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabetic input.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the display device is a mobile computing device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more menu selections compriseone or more data entry boxes.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein each ofthe one or more menu selections and the one or more data entry methodselections are adjustable and independent from any of the other menu anddata entry method selections.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: a processorto display a user interface on a display device, wherein the userinterface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections,wherein the processor to activate one of the one or more menu selectionsto display a data entry method, wherein the data entry method displayedis different depending on a specific context of the activated menuselection, wherein the activated menu selection requires the user toenter data into a plurality of simultaneously displayed data entryboxes, of which at least one data entry box requires alphabetic inputand at least one data entry box requires numerical data, wherein only avirtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabetic input is displayed in thedata entry method on the display device when alphabetic user input isrequired by the activated user selection in the data entry box requiringalphabetic input, and only a virtual keypad enabled to receive numericinput is displayed in the data entry method on the display device whennumeric user input is required by the activated user selection in thedata entry box requiring numeric input.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the data entry method includes a method of entering one of name,phone number and email.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dataentry method is displayed on the bottom of the user interface.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the virtual keyboard enabled to receivealphabetic input may be changed without changing the virtual keypadenabled to receive numeric input.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe virtual keypad enabled to receive numeric input may be changedwithout changing the virtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabeticinput.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the display device is amobile computing device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the oneor more menu selections comprise one or more data entry boxes.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the one or more menu selectionsand the one or more data entry method selections are adjustable andindependent from any of the other menu and data entry method selections.17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containinginstructions which, when executed by a processing system, cause theprocessing system to perform a method, the method comprising: displayinga user interface on a display device, wherein the user interfaceincludes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections;activating one of the one or more menu selections; and displaying a dataentry method, wherein the data entry method displayed is differentdepending on a specific context of the activated menu selection, whereinthe activated menu selection requires the user to enter data into aplurality of simultaneously displaced data entry boxes, of which atleast one data entry box requires alphabetic input and at least one dataentry box requires numerical data, wherein only a virtual keyboardenabled to receive alphabetic input is displayed in the data entrymethod on the display device when alphabetic user input is required bythe activated user selection in the data entry box requiring alphabeticinput, and only a virtual keypad enabled to receive numeric input isdisplayed in the data entry method on the display device when numericuser input is required by the activated user selection in the data entrybox requiring numeric input.
 18. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 17, wherein the data entry method includes a method of enteringone of name, phone number and email.
 19. The computer-readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the data entry method is displayed on thebottom of the user interface.
 20. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 17, wherein the virtual keyboard enabled to receive alphabeticinput may be changed without changing the virtual numeric keypad. 21.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the virtualkeypad enabled to receive numeric input may be changed without changingthe virtual alphabetic keyboard.
 22. The computer-readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the display device is a mobile computingdevice.
 23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, whereinthe one or more menu selections comprise one or more data entry boxes.24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein each ofthe one or more menu selections and the one or more data entry methodselections are adjustable and independent from any of the other menu anddata entry method selections.
 25. A method, comprising: displaying auser interface on a display device, wherein the user interface includesone or more selections; activating one of the one or more selections;and displaying a data entry method, wherein the data entry method iscontext and language specific to the activated selection by displayingone or more virtual keys for a user to enter data required by theactivated selection, wherein the activated selection requires the userto enter data into a plurality of simultaneously displayed data entryboxes, of which at least one data entry box requires alphabetic inputand at least one data entry box requires numerical data, wherein avirtual alphabetic keyboard is displayed in the data entry method on thedisplay device when alphabetic user input is required by the activatedselection in the data entry box requiring alphabetic input, and avirtual numeric keypad is displayed in the data entry method on thedisplay device when numeric user input is required by the activatedselection in the data entry box requiring numeric input.
 26. The methodof claim 25, wherein the data entry method is capable of switchingbetween the virtual alphabetic keyboard and the virtual numeric keypad.27. The method of claim 25, wherein the display device is a mobilecomputing device.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the mobilecomputing device is a wireless computing device with an antenna.
 29. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the data entry method is displayed below theactivated selection on the user interface.
 30. An apparatus, comprising:a processor to display a user interface on a display device, wherein theuser interface includes one or more selections, wherein the processor toactivate one of the one or more selections to display a data entrymethod, wherein the data entry method displayed is different dependingon a specific context of the activated selection, wherein the activatedselection requires the user to enter data into a plurality ofsimultaneously displayed data entry boxes, of which at least one dataentry box requires alphabetic input and at least one data entry boxrequires numerical data, wherein a virtual alphabetic keyboard isdisplayed in the data entry method on the display device when alphabeticuser input is required by the activated selection in the data entry boxrequiring alphabetic input, and a virtual numeric keypad is displayed inthe data entry method on the display device when numeric user input isrequired by the activated selection in the data entry box requiringnumeric input.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the data entrymethod is capable of switching between the virtual alphabetic keyboardand the virtual numeric keypad.
 32. The apparatus of claim 30, whereinthe apparatus is a mobile computing device.
 33. The apparatus of claim32, wherein the mobile computing device is a wireless computing devicewith an antenna.
 34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the data entrymethod is displayed below the activated selection on the user interface.35. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containinginstructions which, when executed by a processing system, cause theprocessing system to perform a method, the method comprising: displayinga user interface on a display device, wherein the user interfaceincludes one or more selections; activating one of the one or moreselections; and displaying a data entry method, wherein the data entrymethod is context and language specific to the activated selection bydisplaying one or more virtual keys for a user to enter data required bythe activated selection, wherein the activated selection requires theuser to enter data into a plurality of simultaneously displaced dataentry boxes, of which at least one data entry box requires alphabeticinput and at least one data entry box requires numerical data, wherein avirtual alphabetic keyboard is displayed in the data entry method on thedisplay device when alphabetic user input is required by the activatedselection in the data entry box requiring alphabetic input, and avirtual numeric keypad is displayed in the data entry method on thedisplay device when numeric user input is required by the activatedselection in the data entry box requiring numeric input.
 36. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the data entrymethod is capable of switching between the virtual alphabetic keyboardand the virtual numeric keypad.
 37. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 35, wherein the display device is a mobile computing device.38. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the mobilecomputing device is a wireless computing device with an antenna.
 39. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the data entrymethod is displayed below the activated selection on the user interface.